Tag: Hair removal

Transgender Treatments

This three part series from ITV, provides unprecedented access to London transgender Surgery clinic, which treats both NHS and Private patients. The programme gives a unique insight into patients journey for transgender describing their issues not seen before on television.

It covers the challenges and lives of trans people as they undertake transformations from one gender to the other. The topics covered are wide ranging and relevant. Educating the wider population of their needs and complex issues was of major benefit to many.

Skin Medical

Skin Medical, as a clinic providing NHS transgender services, we found it to be compelling viewing. The programme follows men and women who believe they were born into the wrong body, over 12 month period as they approach and undergo transgender transitioning and in some cases surgery. We learned that as of April 2017, there were 280 patients in the UK on the list for gender reassignment surgery and another 169 consulting on the process, according to the Imperial College Health Care Trust. Also figures published in July 2017 showed that the number of children being referred to gender identity clinics has quadrupled in the past five years. One question on the minds of some is whether the NHS is supportive enough of people with gender dysphoria? It has been accepted that NHS has failed to prioritise for transgender patient care, however the good news is that NHS now agreed to expand the Service.

NHS Provider

Here at Skin Medical we are an NHS provider aiding patients in the clearance of hair before gender reassignment. We also treat private patients. This is something which we are proud to be associated with and gives us great joy to help patients on their life changing journeys.

The time for holidays and hitting the beach is officially here. Are you ready for summer? If you’re not, there’s no need to stress – fortunately, we have a range of treatments that can get you summer-ready. From banishing excess hair, combating stubborn pockets of fat and getting your skin primed and ready, we have the solution for you.

Laser Hair Removal

Waxing and shaving can be a chore at any time of year – but even more so in summer. Laser hair removal is a convenient alternative. Resulting in a permanent hair reduction, the average patient requires 6-8 sessions, at around 6 weeks apart. Laser hair removal can drastically reduce the amount of shaving and waxing you need to do – in fact, you might never shave or wax again!

At Skin Medical we use the Lightsheer Diode system which is FDA-Approved and considered to be the gold-standard in laser hair removal. It’s cool tip enabled, which makes the treatment more comfortable for you. If you’re wanting to know more about laser hair removal and how it works, we answer all of your questions here.

Vaser Liposuction

Vaser liposuction is an effective fat removal procedure performed under a local anaesthetic, which targets stubborn pockets of fat that dieting and exercise have failed to shift. In summer, these stubborn pockets of fat can be more distressing than ever. Performed under a local anaesthetic and with quick recovery times, there are a lot of advantages to choosing Vaser liposuction over traditional liposuction.

Vaser liposuction uses advanced ultrasound technology to break down fat cells, meaning they can easily be removed using suction. The technology targets only the fat cells, meaning all other tissue (such as nerves and blood vessels) is left unharmed. It can also stimulate collagen, meaning it can have a tightening effect on the skin too!

More areas than you might expect can be treated using Vaser liposuction, including the abdomen, love handles, outer and inner thighs, buttocks, knees, upper arms, calves and the male chest area. We can also treat the neck, jowls and chin.

SPF 50

The most important part of any skincare routine is your SPF – and when you’re exposed to the sun, the higher the SPF the better. At Skin Medical we recommend Heliocare SPF50+, which is available as a cream, gel and a mineral formulation.

Heliocare is a high-protection, effective SPF that is suitable for all skin types. It’s even suitable for those who suffer from acne and it doesn’t trigger further breakouts, like some skincare can. Our medical nurse practitioners will be able to assess your skin and advise which Heliocare product is most suitable for you.

Skin Medical is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered clinic. To book in for a free consultation with one of our medical professionals regarding any of the treatments we offer at Skin Medical, either book online or contact the clinic on 0161 839 7663.

Winter is often accompanied by an urge to wear extra layers and hibernate. It’s also the perfect time to undergo a range of treatments, in the absence of sun and inflammatory heat. Laser treatments often require you to avoid harmful UV rays, making winter an ideal time for a number of skin treatments.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a revolutionary treatment, and one that when it comes to baring skin in summer is much appreciated. Many people begin to consider having laser hair removal in summer time, when shaving and waxing becomes tedious – but winter is actually the ideal time to begin treatment.

Sun exposure and a tan are a no-no when it comes to laser hair removal. During the summer months, patients often have to take a break from their treatment if they’re planning on experiencing some summer sun. We usually advise you wait 4-6 weeks following sun exposure to have treatment, or until your tan has faded, as the laser is attracted to pigments in the skin and therefore there is an increased risk of adverse effects. That makes winter – in the absence of sun – the perfect time to have laser hair removal treatment.

As an added bonus, you’ll be able to squeeze in a fair few treatments between now and summer (we usually recommend a minimum of 6-8 treatments, 6 weeks apart). That means by the time summer rolls around you’ll be well on your way to being hair-free.

Tattoo Removal

Just like with laser hair removal, tattoo removal is best when done in the winter months as sun exposure can increase the risk of adverse effects. As the tattoo begins to fade, many people prefer to cover it up – something which is far easier in the winter months!

Again, laser tattoo removal requires a course of treatments (the exact number does vary from person to person, depending on the size, colour and density of the tattoo) but there’s a very good chance that your regrettable tattoo could be banished before the summer rolls around.

Chemical Peels

The winter months can be especially harsh on your skin, and you can experience dryness and a generally poorer complexion. Fortunately, chemical peels can rejuvenate your skin to leave it look refreshed and toned.

Once again we advise that you should have no sun exposure before having a chemical peel, making them the perfect treatment to have done in winter. Peels can address a number of concerns, including facial dullness, acne, dehydration and other skin issues. If you have a busy summer coming up (summer is notoriously wedding season), we recommend you begin a course of chemical peels in the winter to ensure your skin is looking the best by the time your events roll around.

We offer Obagi and Jan Marini peels, and have a range of options suitable to all skin types. A medical practitioner will always carry out a full skin consultation and will be able to design a treatment plan which is specifically tailored to your skin concerns.

To find out more about the specific treatments we offer, or to book a free consultation with one of our practitioners, contact our Manchester clinic on 0161 839 7663.

Hair removal – be it waxing or shaving – is an annoying chore we all have to deal with. A growing number of both men and women are opting for more permanent solutions such as laser hair removal and electrolysis. As with all crazes, there’s a lot of information flying around regarding the treatments, some which is true and some which isn’t. We’re here to shed light on the facts about laser hair removal and debunk the common myths.

Laser hair removal is painful – MYTH

A common myth is that laser hair removal is painful. This did used to be the case, but technology has come a long way since then. The new machines (such as the Lightsheer Diode system with we use at Skin Medical) offer minimal discomfort. Most people describe the sensation as being on a similar pain level to flicking an elastic band against your skin – it’s a quick ping, followed by a warm sensation. Cooling gel is used immediately afterwards which quickly removes this effect.

Laser hair removal is expensive – MYTH

Compared to a lifetime of shaving and waxing, laser hair removal is actually a money saving initiative in the long run. We recently dedicated an entire blog post to the cost-benefits of laser hair removal vs waxing – and how you investing in a permanent solution could save you thousands. We also frequently run special offers on courses of treatment, which make it even more affordable.

Laser hair removal doesn’t last – MYTH

Laser hair removal is a long term solution. It is an FDA approved treatment for permanent hair reduction, offering at least 90% hair free results on all skin types. After the first treatment you’ll begin to notice a reduction in hair growth, and the hair will be less dense. However, it’s worth noting that these results only occur with laser hair removal – inferior IPL machines provide less reduction and the results do not last for as long.

Laser hair removal isn’t safe – MYTH

Laser hair removal using the Lightsheer Diode is an FDA approved treatment. This means rigorous testing has been carried out to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the treatment. You should always be provided with guidelines and aftercare information if you’re having treatment (for example, not to apply fake tan or have sun exposure prior to treatment).

Laser hair removal cannot be used on the face – MYTH

One of the most common areas to have treatment (aside from legs, bikini and underarms) is the face. The laser can be used on any part of the skin.

Enjoy the summer sun

We all love to bare our skin in the summer months, especially with more of us going on holiday and even British summer temperatures getting hotter in recent years, so why not make sure that you’re summer sunshine ready with Lightsheer Laser Hair Removal.

The most popular areas for women to be treated with laser hair removal is the underarms and bikini line, so you won’t have to worry about getting waxed or risk having razor burn when you hit the beach this summer. Many of our female patients have mentioned that unwanted hair on their bodies hinders them from going to the beach or wearing swimwear, particularly bikinis, as their self-confidence is affected so much. For men, the chest is becoming an increasingly popular area for treatment. Again, you will no longer have to worry about a waxing, shaving or epilating regimen before you want to go out in the sun.

At Skin Medical, we offer discount packages for combination areas (e.g. underarms and bikini) and if you buy a full course of treatment there are further discounts available.

What does laser hair removal involve?

On average a patient will need around 6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart to complete treatment, so if you are looking to be hair free for the summer months January is a great time to start treatment. With our gold standard lasers we can treat any skin type.

To find out more, please call 0161 839 7763 (Manchester) or 01132 43 93 43 (Leeds) to get more information or a price for the area(s) that you wish to have treated.

Here at Skin Medical we only use FDA approved lasers and Nurse practitioners that ensure great treatment with great results and we are Care Quality Commission registered ensuring piece of mind .

Read BBC reports on how scientists in America have developed a special laser to treat people with dark skin. The Lightsheer laser for permanent hair removal is now available at Skin Medical’s Manchester and Leeds clinics.

Scientists have finally resolved a long-term problem – how to remove unwanted hair safely with injury to people with dark skin.

Up until now all types of laser skin treatment have been ruled out for people with dark skin because of the risk of side effects.

A dermatologist backed by Lumenis (laser manufacturers) has successfully used a diode laser on a wide range of different skin types and colours to reduce the number of hairs and delay re-growth.

Problems associated with hair removal among people with dark skin have been identified by Dr Battle, who has said:

Many dark-skinned men and women have medical conditions associated to excessive hair. Hirsuitism for example is the growth of unwanted hair on any area of the body and is more common in darker-skinned men and woman. Attempts to shave can cause men with tightly coiled hair to develop painful ingrown hairs or ‘beard bumps’.

More traditional means of hair removal, such as plucking, waxing and electrolysis, can lead to dark spots in people with non-white skin.

So what is the solution to this problem?

Laser hair removal techniques traditionally targeted melanin in light-coloured skins, i.e. the pigment that determines the colour of both hair and skin.

In light-skinned people, the laser energy safely passes through the skin and is absorbed by the darker hair shaft, destroying the hair and its root.

Darker-skinned people have more melanin in their skin, which would cause too much energy to be conducted through the hair shaft causing damage to neighbouring skin. By using longer wave length of light in a diode laser less energy is transferred, thereby reducing the likelihood and risk of damage to the skin.

The Lumenis lightsheer has been refined further to include a cool tip which reduces significantly the discomfort traditionally associated with IPL and laser hair removal systems. This allows the skin to cool more effectively and to tolerate a larger total dose.

Clinical evidence was based on treating 84 patients from 20 different ethnic diverse groups. Consequently, this lightsheer system is now the gold standard for hair removal system and was subsequently approved by American Food & Drug Administration, FDA.” Skin Medical are please to report that this technology is in use at both their Manchester and Leeds clinics.